Irish Champion Stakes 2025: Ombudsman the Frontrunner but Delacroix Looms Large

The upcoming Irish Champion Stakes 2025 takes place at Leopardstown Racecourse on Saturday, September 13, attracting global attention as one of the highlights of the flat racing calendar in Ireland and Europe.

Despite being held on the same day as the St Leger at Doncaster, there are only two horses potentially entered into both – Minnie Hauk and Tennessee Stud, though the Irish St Leger takes place the following day, so plenty of declaration decisions to be made before September 13 and 14!

That said, the ante-post betting for the Irish Champion Stakes marks Ombudsman as the current frontrunner at odds of 6/4, with Delacroix and Shin Emperor closely positioned in the market.

The field will still change as only a subset of the 33 entries will start on the day, and for comparison purposes, only eight ran in the 2024 renewal!

Here’s a comprehensive look ahead for racing fans tracking this Group 1 contest.

Top Three Ante-Post Contenders

The ante-post betting paints Ombudsman (6/4) as the clear early favourite, suggesting strong form and confidence from punters as September 13 approaches.

Whether you prefer to place a bet at one of the many top UK casinos online or at your local bookmaker, it’s still a good idea to shop around for the best odds to maximise your potential payout.

Ombudsman has enjoyed a standout 2025 season. After placing second by 1¾ lengths at Sandown in May, he bounced back at Ascot in June, scoring impressively in a Group 1 over 1m2f.

In July at Sandown’s Eclipse Stakes, Ombudsman battled Delacroix, just missing out by a neck in a thrilling finish. On August 20, he produced his best yet, storming to a decisive Group 1 victory in the Juddmonte International at York, winning by 3½ lengths over Delacroix.

Ombudsman’s campaign highlights his Group 1 class, consistency, and progression at 10 furlongs, marking him as a leading horse this season.

Delacroix holds the second spot in the market and offers a strong challenge. He began his 2025 campaign with two Group 3 wins at Leopardstown, showing authority over ten furlongs in both March and May, winning by 2¼ and 2¾ lengths respectively.

He then stepped up to Group 1 level at Epsom in June but struggled at the extended trip. Rebounding at Sandown in July, Delacroix narrowly defeated Ombudsman in the Eclipse, displaying a decisive turn of foot.

Most recently, he finished second in the Juddmonte International at York, beaten by Ombudsman, so the best of three could be on the cards at Leopardstown for these two rivals.

Shin Emperor rounds out the top trio in betting. Although at slightly longer odds, Shin Emperor is tipped to improve and could pose a threat with a peak performance.

Place in the Irish Flat Racing Season

The Irish Champion Stakes sits as a late-season highlight on the Irish flat racing calendar, complementing other eminent races during the two-day Irish Champions Festival, which concludes at The Curragh with the Irish St Leger.

Its September timing often means horses with ambitions for autumn prizes such as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe or the Breeders’ Cup Turf use it as a critical stepping stone.

Past winners of the Irish Champion Stakes include some of the biggest names in global racing. Iconic horses such as Sea The Stars (2009), Fantastic Light (2001), High Chaparral (2003), and Dylan Thomas (2006, 2007) have claimed victory, sometimes going on to triumph abroad in major international contests.

Their legacies remain widely celebrated by enthusiasts, with Sea The Stars’ epic performances and Dylan Thomas’ back-to-back wins very much a part of racing history.

Leopardstown's Irish Champion Stakes: A Prestigious Group 1

Leopardstown Racecourse, known for world-class events, hosts the Irish Champion Stakes each September as part of the Irish Champions Festival.

First run in 1976 as the Joe McGrath Memorial Stakes, and returning permanently to Leopardstown in 1991, the race covers a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs (about 2,012 meters).

It consistently attracts elite three-year-old and older thoroughbreds from Ireland and abroad, making it a focal point for racing both domestically and internationally.

With a prize purse of around €1 million, the race draws top ownership, trainers, and jockeys each year.

The contest is not only central to the Irish sporting scene but is also part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series, granting the winner automatic entry to the Breeders’ Cup Turf, which further elevates its international reputation.

Most Successful Trainer and Horse

Aidan O’Brien stands as the most successful trainer in the history of the Irish Champion Stakes, with an impressive tally of ten wins since 2005 with top horses such as Oratorio, Dylan Thomas, Cape Blanco, So You Think, Magical, St Marks Basilica, Luxembourg, and Auguste Rodin.

O’Brien’s dominance is a testament to his expertise and the world-class resources at Ballydoyle Stables.

On the horse front, Dylan Thomas is the only thoroughbred to have won the Irish Champion Stakes twice (2006 and 2007), underscoring the difficulty of repeated success in this competitive event.

Legendary jockey Michael Kinane is similarly celebrated for his seven winning rides, showcasing Leopardstown’s Irish Champion Stakes as a stage for racing’s best.

Looking Ahead

With the Irish Champion Stakes 2025 fast approaching, anticipation is building for another chapter in Leopardstown’s legacy.

Current market leaders Ombudsman, Delacroix, and Shin Emperor set the tone for early debate, but the race’s history of drama means nothing is guaranteed until the final field emerges.

Racing fans can expect a blend of elite competition and the possibility of another legendary name joining the roll of honour.